In a time when #runlikeagirl (see the youtube vid that blew up) becomes a hot topic, resurrecting forgotten ideas and ideals and personal or social associations and identification, it’s important to keep it going. A hot topic usually booms, blooming, and we get excited and we spread our beliefs through our communities and online, putting into practice the change we wish to see. And then, sometimes life gets busy, and we set the hot topic to the side, whether knowingly or not. With organizations such as Girls on the Run and races the likes of Run Like a Girl 1/2 Marathon, Bellingham keeps the movement abloom; and BDP is about to take it even further.

With great pride we announce that our teammate, Lydia Carrick, along with her husband, Kyle will be travelling to Djibouti in June to help out at a girl’s running program called, Girls Run 2. “In such a heavily Islamic country, it’s revolutionary to empower teenage girls to stay in school and train for track and road racing competitions,” says Lydia. “I’m asking for help!”

Lydia and Kyle are hoping to bring 30-50 pairs of running capris for the girls. As it is an Islamic country, modesty is essential; hence the need for capris, or materials which reach past the knee. Lightly-used to new clothing is preferable, and donations of any sort are welcome. All proceeds will go directly to the girls within the program.

From Rachel Pieh Jones’ Blog, Djibouti Jones comes an article that documents what Girls Run 2 is all about. She writes,

“In 2008 I helped to start a girls running team called, you guessed it, Girls Run 2…These girls are some of the bravest people in Djibouti and they are forming a beautiful community of strong, healthy, confident young people. It isn’t easy. Besides the oppressive heat, the team struggles to find basic things like a place to train, sports bras and socks, quality running shoes, and sufficient nutrition. But that doesn’t stop them.

Barefoot over rocks and thorns and dirt? No problem, keep your feet light and move quickly. Good speed work.
Maybe two meals a day, one of which is bread and tea? No problem, come home from practice so hungry and tired that there is no complaining about bread and tea, just eating and sleeping.
Insufficient understanding of stretching, body awareness, coordination? No problem, there are coaches and older team members to provide examples and help.
Illiterate, half-blind, junior high school dropout, former Olympian, Djiboutian national record breaker, bank employee? No problem, come one, come all.

The site will be updated periodically with stories of team members, race updates, and general running in Djibouti information. The girls, the coaches, and I would love your support and encouragements.”

 

 

The Carrick’s will leave for Djibouti on May 29th. You can contact Lydia with questions or support at her email address, Lydia.g.carrick@gmail.com or via her Facebook.